If fine literature functions primarily to provoke thought then Ernest Hemingway's The
Sun Also Rises summarizes a literary master piece. Presented in an honest and
straightforward writing style, Hemingway reflects aspects of his own life and of the
twentieth century. He also succeeds in executing a sort of social commentary in, The Sun
Also Rises. He speaks for a generation disillusioned with life, but ultimately speaks to all
humans concerning life's meaning and purpose.
In comparison to other authors, few write about their own personal experiences.
Hemingway portrays his own life experiences through the characters in his novels. The
Sun Also Rises reflects Hemingway's experiences and beliefs. Hemingway used a
conscientious formula in the art of his novel. He honestly worked within his own
experiences and developed its possibilities. His material was created from his
experiences, and many of his experiences reflected back on the various settings or times.
Hemingway patterns many of his characters after himself, and he expresses himself
through Jake Barnes. "He was a schooled expert in the arenas of war, bullfighting,
Deep-sea fishing, boxing, big-game hunting, and reckless, extravagant
living-experiences"( World, Pg. 1646). He reveals these arenas in the novel through the
eyes of the narrator, Jake Barnes. Jake shares Hemingway's characteristics and interests.
Jake, a war veteran and a news writer, like Hemingway, enjoys fishing, in Spain before
the bullfights. Once in Pamplona, we see another similar interest of Hemingway's.
"Your friend, is he aficionado, too? Montoya smiled at Bill. Yes. He came all the way
from New York to see the San Fermines. Yes? Montoya politely disbelieved. But he's not
aficionado like you?"(Ernest, Pg. 131). Here Montoya describes Jake as an aficionado,
possessing some great admiration and passion for t...